Dangerous Revolver Grip

Safety & Technique -- So important!

     A recent tragic injury to a St. Louis area shooter of a S&W 460XVR Magnum is a reminder of how dangerous an improper grip can be. This is especially true of such a high power round - 200gr Cor-Bon DPX .460 - the round fired in this case. Rather than using a thumb-over-thumb grip on the revolver, the shooter was gripping the lower left side of the revolver frame with his left hand. This grip placed the tip end section of his left thumb at the point where there is a clearance gap between the front of the cylinder and the breach end of the barrel. The escaping gases from that gap severed his left thumb near the tip. The wounded shooter was told by the surgeon that surgery would take place after a few days. Seems as though a gunshot wound, or in this case, the blast of gases from a gunshot, kill more flesh than is initially apparent. It is therefore necessary to wait a few days until all of the dead flesh is manifested. If surgery is not delayed, the dead flesh will rot and cause further problems.

     The danger of having any part of the hand near the gap between the front of a cylinder and the breach end of the barrel on a revolver certainly can result on a burn. Now, we know that with very high power loads, amputation of part of the hand / fingers / thumb can also result. It is so important to remind ourselves that when a safety rule is being broken and once the gun has been fired, there is no second chance.

S&W 460XVR Magnum

Shooter gripping the revolver frame.

Escaping gases from gap severs thumb.

Swiss Mini Gun

Introducing the world's smallest gun that fires deadly 300mph bullets - but is just TWO inches long

By ANDY DOLAN - Last updated at 16:39pm on 5th March 2008

     Meet the pistol that fits in your pocket - and packs a hell of a punch.

     The SwissMiniGun is the size of a key fob but fires tiny 270mph bullets powerful enough to kill at close range.

     Officially the world's smallest working revolver, the gun is being marketed as a collector's item and measures just 2.16 inches long (5.5cm). It can fire real 4.53 bullets up to a range of 367ft (112m).

     The stainless steel gun costs £3,000 although the manufacturers also produce extravagant, made-to-order versions made out of 18-carat gold with customized diamond studs which sell for up to £30,000.

     It cannot be imported into the UK, and buyers in Switzerland and Europe must produce an import permit from police to obtain one.

     The gun is banned from being imported into the US - because it's barrel is less than three inches, meaning it is deemed too small to qualify for sporting purposes.

     Jonathan Spencer, consultant forensic scientist and firearms expert, said that although the gun, which fires bullets at a speed of 399 feet a second, was tiny, it could still prove fatal and in the eyes of the law was as dangerous as a machine gun.

     He said: "The general threshold for perforating the skin is about 330 feet a second.

     "Apart from bone, skin offers the greatest resistance to penetration. If it can pass through the skin it is potentially lethal, even if the bullets are small.

     "If you shoved something 3mm across into someone's chest you could kill them. It's the same with these bullets, they could penetrate the heart.

     "It is capable of killing someone. Under section 5 of the Firearms Act it would be a prohibited weapon. It would be on the same scale as a machine gun."

     The gun shoots 2.34 mm caliber rim fire ammunition especially developed for it as the smallest rim fire ammunition in the world.

     It weighs in at just 0.7oz (19.8grams) and fires live and blank ammunition.

     The gun is the first product of the SwissMiniGun company, a gunsmiths based at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

     Owner Paul Erard said that since the product's launch three years ago, the firm had sold around 300 of the guns, mainly to collectors in the Middle and Far East.

     He said: "We are producing in very small quantities - perhaps 25 gold guns and 100 steel guns a year, and there is a six month waiting list to get one.

     "We will make whatever the customer wishes for. The most expensive version we have sold cost £30,000 and was covered in diamonds and came with a gold chain."

     Other bespoke finishes available include ebony grips, hand engraved grips, gold grips with diamonds or collared precious stones.

     Mr Erard said that although the double action revolver is similar in appearance to a Colt Python full-size weapon, it was actually based on a Swiss-made revolver.

     In September 2006 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives(ATF) in New York issued a warning about the gun after being alerted by a police officer who spotted it on a website.

     Special Agent William McMahon said the gun was so small it could pass for a key fob, and warned it made the perfect stealth weapon for serious criminals.

     But Mr. Erard denied the gun was deadly and said it was only a tenth as powerful as some air guns.

     "Since September 11 there has been a lot of paranoia in America", he said.

     "It is ridiculous. Why would criminals want my gun when you can go out and buy a Kalashnikov there already?"

     A Guinness World Records spokesman confirmed the gun held the record as the word's smallest working revolver.

Company Web Site:

http://www.swissminigun.com/home.html

Swiss Mini Gun Demonstration Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIq3JkoABYM

At just over two inches long it is the world's smallest gun - but the 300mph bullets it fires mean it is still deadly

The Swiss Minigun, which is being marketed as a collector's item, is just 5.5cm long, and fires 4.53mm bullets up to 112 metres

Tactical Reminder: Search the shoes

Date: 06/01/2006

During a traffic stop, the passenger in the stopped vehicle, who was on parole for firearms possession, was arrested for drug possession. During the booking search at the jail, the arresting officer had the cuffed suspect slide his shoes off with his feet. Inside one of the shoes, the officer found a fully loaded .32 cal. revolver. Rust found inside the shoe seemed to indicate that the weapon had been hidden there several times. The gun did not obstruct the suspect's ability to walk. Keep these photographs and the officer's wise search strategy in mind at all times.

Weapon Threat

Knife Concealed in a Working Cigarette Lighter 

Law Enforcement should be on the lookout for working cigarette lighters that hold a concealed knife blade. The blade and supporting base, once removed, fit snugly onto the bottom of the lighter. The knife blade is approximately 2 inches long.

Law Enforcement and Security Professionals should be mindful that small items like these could easily be missed. An alert TSA screener found this specific item during an x-ray.

Weapon Threat

Pen Guns on the Streets; Easy to Conceal, Easy to Manufacture 

Officers should be aware of the proliferation of small, easy-to-disguise guns that appear to be large writing pens, and the ease and inexpensive means of manufacturing the guns.

The guns fire a .22 cal. short round, are easily concealed and if painted, resemble a pen.

Burbank, Calif. police recently followed up on a tip of a cache of more than 100 pen guns (see picture) stored by a small-time manufacturer-seller. The pens were easy to make - they were produced by the son of a machine shop owner. The small guns, shaped just like regular ink pens, were slightly larger than a large fountain pen.

Concealment Alert

Presents Officer Safety Threat 

Officers should be aware that there is a compartment under the driver’s seat in the Mercedes E500 sport. Recently, a military police officer found a loaded .357 revolver in the compartment during a random inspection of a Mercedes E500 (see picture right). The compartment is standard equipment on the Mercedes E500 sport.

According to Mercedes, the intended use for the compartment is to store a first aid kit and be readily available.

Beware that if you stop a subject driving an Mercedes E500, and approach from the rear of the vehicle you will may be unable to see the driver opening the compartment. The compartment opens very quickly, making it easy to access a firearm with very little movement.

Weapon Threat

Threat to Officer Safety from Bangsticks 

According to a recent Palm Beach County, Fla. Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Advisory, one of their deputy sheriff's arrested a man in possession of a "Bangstick" measuring 4 5/8" in length with a 1 3/4" barrel and capable of firing either a single 38 cal. short Colt, .38 special or .357 magnum cartridge. The device had been adapted to be worn around the neck or concealed in a pocket.

A "bangstick" is intended for use by fishermen and scuba divers to kill sharks and alligators. When used in such a way it is attached to a threaded pole and then used as a prod to hit the target. A very slight tap at the end of the barrel will cause the device to discharge.

When used in such a manner the law considers the use of the "bangstick" as legal. However, when detached and carried in a pocket or around the neck and used under circumstances clearly removed from the sport of fishing or diving, the "Bangstick" is considered to be a firearm under federal law. ATF has classified this device as an "any other weapon" that is prosecutable by 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines under Title 26, Section 5871.

Deputies and officers should be extremely cautious when handling these devices as they can discharge simply by being tapped on the barrel end. In addition, the device's appearance is deceptive and can lead an officer to discount it as a non-dangerous weapon. It is a triggerless device that can easily be mistaken for a tool or some other harmless article. "Bangsticks" can be found at scuba or diving accessories shops.

Concealment Alert

In-car Rifle Rack Above Visor 

Officers should be aware of a new rifle rack currently on the market that can conceal a weapon behind the sun visors inside the cab of a truck. The rack can be installed into the existing mounting holes for factory installed sun visors and fits SUVs, vans and trucks. It is made from heavy-duty aluminum, comes in a variety of colors and has a velvet-like finish. The rack is called the "Rifle-It" and is manufactured by Pace Edward.

Patrol officers should be aware of this product and use caution approaching SUVs, trucks and Pick-Ups during traffic stops, particularly if the driver or passenger has his/her hands over their heads in the area of the sun visors. It is also a good idea to instruct drivers and passengers to place their hands outside the windows if their hands are up.

For more information and a picture, visit: http://www.web4jnj.com/pace-edwards/rifleit.htm

Mark: DERRINGER

Model: Standard

Caliber: .22 magnum

Seriel Number: D18365

Made in: USA

Buy for $385.00

http://www.amderringer.com/das.html

Security Threat

Recently Kern County experienced a security threat when inmates being held in a local court holding facility were able to break open their handcuffs using the round lip that is located on or around the spout of the drinking fountain section of the jail sink that may be in most of our facilities. They use the lip to pry open the cuffs and pop the pin out that holds the cuffs together. Fortunately the threat was discovered by deputies before the incident escalated.

I have attached some of JPEGs showing how this was done and the result.

Lieutenant Ron Bertrand
Kern County Sheriff's Department
Detentions Bureau Compliance Unit
1350 Norris Rd., Bakersfield, CA  93308
Phone: (661) 391-2015 Fax: (661) 391-7886

[Thank you Lt. Bertrand]

WRIST SWEATBAND CONCEALMENT

Officers in the Milliken Colorado P.D. recently contacted a juvenile female runaway.

During the contact the female wouldn’t allow officers to scrutinize her wrist sweatband (shown below). Due to her behavior officers removed the wristband and found a utility knife blade concealed inside the fabric. This juvenile female was rumored to be a “cutter” but it was felt that this information was a significant officer safety issue and needed to be shared. Once again – don’t ever take anything for granted and search those in custody or detained with this type of object in mind.

Mag-Light Shotgun

The ARES Defense Systems Company of Blacksburg, VA is selling a Mag-Light which is actually a .410 shotgun. The weapon is called the Companion, and is a working flashlight that will fire a .410 shotgun round. The weapon works by removing a safety pin. The weapon can then be fired by a spring loaded firing pin. The projectile exits through the end cap. It is also available in the Mini-Mag size which fires a .380 round. The ARES Mag-Light .410 Shotgun is priced at $595.00.

Here is something we in the Metropolitan Police, London, England have recently come across. MARK WHITTLE

The "Bloodsucking Knife"

• Remove the cap of this ordinary looking pen and you're looking at a SERIOUSLY dangerous weapon that has been specifically designed to drain blood very quickly. 
• The pen's hollow titanium tube/blade is cut at an angle for quick & deep skin penetration. Its shape is designed to aggravate the entrance wound & expedite blood loss. Preferred targets areas are reported to be the eyes & ear canals but the "blade" is actually long enough to penetrate a lung or your heart. 

WEAPONS WARNING:

AUSTRALIAN OFFICERS DISCOVER THE "CELL PHONE" TASER

In November 2000, we reported that authentic-looking cell-phones were being manufactured in Europe that actually fire four .22-caliber rounds. By simply pressing buttons on the keypad, a bullet is discharged from the short-barreled "antenna."

The news about the cell-phone gun spread quickly and was one of the many examples of the ingenuity of today's criminal. Remember, they are always plotting new ways to deceive you, and that is why you must always stay ahead of the game. And now, today's criminal is on the new wave of TASER technology right along with today's cop.

With the rising interest in TASER products, law enforcement has options or less lethal methods of dealing with criminals. A great deal of study and observation has gone into the use of TASERS and it has been determined that they are safe and effective. According to TASER International, Inc., "The TASER energy weapon's output leaves no permanent effects, making it the safe choice for family protection."

However, you can be sure that the criminal version will not be as safe. Newsline Subscriber Dave Devries from Australia informed Newsline about a mobile phone TASER that was located in a bedroom during a drug search warrant on a property in Midland West Australia.

"The shell is a dummy phone that the shops use as a display model and then throw away," Devries explains.

"It appears that the offender located it then 'doctored' it with a battery and a couple of metal tabs on the top to facilitate the flow of electricity. It has a charging point and an on/off switch. When you look closely, you can tell that it is not a real phone; however, at a cursory glance you wouldn't realize it until it was too late," he adds.

Apparently, the officer that located the device thought that there was something wrong with it as it didn't seem to be a functioning phone. His first thought was that it was being used to courier drugs. While he was studying the phone, he inadvertently triggered it and it zapped him.

"This particular incident may not have had a seriously dramatic result, but you never know what to expect with a 'homemade job' like this," Devries explains. "Manufactured TASERS are professionally designed so as not to interfere with the natural electrical rhythm of the heart, but this device was designed by a criminal, and was not manufactured to the same standard," he adds.

While Devries explains that he is not familiar in any way with electronics and is not sure if a homemade device like this could interfere with the heart or not, he is familiar with the criminal element. The intent is usually to escape being caught and sometimes they are willing to destroy any obstacle in the way.

Handcuff Ring Key

Gunman wounds two Los Angeles County deputies serving warrant

FAILURE OF RESTRAINTS

All officers should be aware of the possibility of failure of a particular model/brand of wrist and leg restraints.

Synopsis

The subject was being held on two robbery charges in addition to charges from other agencies. Previously, he and his brother had robbed a drug store in Sikeston, Missouri, and then taken refuge at a local residence. A stand-off and shootout ensued, during which one officer was wounded. The brothers then had set fire to the residence before being captured. One brother subsequently died in custody.

While returning to his detention facility via transport bus from a court appearance, the subject took off his hand restraints and then his leg restraints and escaped through the emergency window on the bus. The inmate was recaptured with the assistance of a police K-9 approximately two hours later and returned to the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Restraints

The inmate was restrained by using a set of Peerless Model 400 handcuffs in addition to a waist chain with the brass D-Ring. The inmate was also restrained with a set of Peerless Model 303 leg irons.

Manipulation

After being informed of how these restraints were manipulated by the inmate, officers attempted to replication the procedure as described by the inmate. By using just the restraints supplied, there are several ways to violate the security of these models.

The following attempts were made to breach the security of the Peerless Model 400 Hand Restraints and the Peerless Model 303 Leg Irons.

The first attempt was to use the brass d-ring supplied with the waist chain and force it in between the double strand side of the handcuffs. Once inserted in between the strands on the double strand portion, the brass d-ring was moved toward the pin holding the single strand to the double strand together. Once it moved to within 1/4 of an inch of the pin, the pin broke. Once the pin was broken the single strand was lifted off of the pin and removed from the ratchet area of the hand-cuff. This was completed with the handcuffs in the double locked position. Once the single strand was removed, it too could then be used to render other sets of restraints useless with ease.

Next, one of the links from the waist chain was used in an attempt to breach the security of the handcuffs. Again, by placing the link from the waist chain in between the double strand and moving it towards the pin, the pin failed and the single strand could be removed.

In addition, the removed strand could be used to break the pin on the other half of the handcuff. This was completed by placing the pin hole end in between the double strand portion of the handcuff and quickly turning the single strand 90 degrees. This took approximately four seconds to complete and remove the other single strand. At this point both single strands had been removed from the handcuffs.

Once the security of the handcuffs had been breached, an attempt was made to violate the leg restraints, Peerless Model 303. Again, several different ways was tried to attempt to violate the security of the leg restraints.

The first attempt was with the use of the single strand from the Peerless Model 400 handcuffs. As the single strand from the handcuff was placed in between the double strand of the leg restraints, the single strand was moved 90 degrees and the pin on the double strand of the leg restraints broke. This could easily be done even when wearing the leg restraints.

In addition, the security of the leg restraints could be breached using the brass d-ring and a link from the waist chain.

Comparison: Smith and Wesson Model 100

For comparison sake, a similar attempt was made to violate the security of a pair of Smith and Wesson Model 100 hand-cuffs.

The first attempt was made by trying to force the brass d-ring into the double strand side of the handcuffs. The d-ring was manually forced within 1/2 inch of the double strand/single strand pin. However, the pin did not fail.

Since the d-ring could not be moved manually any closer to the pin, a hammer was used to force the d-ring all the way to the pin. Again the pin did not fail. After removing the brass d-ring from the set of Smith and Wesson Model 100 handcuffs, the only damage was a slight spreading of the double strand side of the handcuffs. The handcuffs, however, were still operable and retained the security intended.

Next, one of the links from the waist chain was used to try to violate the security of the Smith and Wesson Model 100 handcuffs. Again, the link from the waist chain could be manually forced near the pin. Using another object, the link was forced near the pin; however, the pin did not fail with the use of the chain link.

Next, one of the single strands from the set of the Peerless Model 400 handcuffs was used to try to breach the security of the Smith and Wesson Model 100 handcuffs. The only thing this accomplished were sore hands with small cuts and abrasions.

This information is being provided for all agencies and individuals who might have the above-mentioned restraints

Source: Lieutenant Keith Hoskins, Boone County Sheriff's Department, Columbia, Missouri. He can be reached at (573) 876-6100.